Beauty of Aging

Beauty of AgingAs we wrap up our program, the remaining times we spend with one another become more and more precious. Today, we painted our vases, which are to be fired once again. It was very exciting to see how our creativity rooted from our different backgrounds. Not only was our uniqueness reflected in the structure of our bases, but also in the choice of colors. It’s incredible how close we have become with our PALs in the past few months. I have learned so much about Bertha as a person, and have also gained so much knowledge about intergenerational gaps as a whole. The biggest thing that this program has offered me was a chance to embrace aging, and to not fear what is to come. I have come to see how aging is a beautiful process and how wonderful our life experiences can be. I will take these values with me as I continue on my path to becoming a healthcare professional.

Gina Pak, graduate student in Pharmacy

Friendship Formed Over Art

Friendship Formed Over ArtOver the past couple of months my PAL, Gil Green, and I have been forming a lasting and true friendship. I become more eager and excited to see and spend the day with him each class period. Today was no different. We bonded over telling stories and catching up on our lives. He told me about work and up coming trips he plans to take and I filled him on school and spring break. And then while we worked on our vases, I learned that he plays the violin and enjoys trying and eating different ethnic foods. And I shared with him my love of the ocean while he helped me put together my vase. The art gives us an outlet to express ourselves while enjoying each other’s company and getting to know one another. We are able to share our lives and have found we have a lot in common. With things that we do not share, I have come to value his insight and knowledge and enjoy learning from him. Our friendship and time spent together is natural and sincere. Gil has become a good friend and I enjoy our Sunday’s together. We have bonded over art and overcome any generational difference to become an unlikely but sincere pair of friends which I hope will last beyond the course.

Taylor Lansing, graduate student in Pharmacy

Totem of Memories

Totem of MemoriesToday’s PALETTE class was very different than any we have experienced so far. Today we expanded our perspective in art by molding clay totem poles. The designs we created on them signified the feelings and memories that define us. Since this was a harder project, we had many opportunities to work closely with our PAL and help each other. From this project, we were able to bond in so many ways. Since I always had a love for interior design, I decided to express my interest by making a totem pole decorated with a floral pattern and a border framing my vase. This design represented my hobby in interior design and my love of decorating my room with lots of floral colors, picture frames, and symmetrical designs. My PAL, Martha loved the idea of a floral engraving that she too decided to use another floral pattern that was available. When talking more about our art, I learned that she picked this pattern because she has a passion for gardening, and has her own garden in her yard. This sparked a conversation about hobbies, and interestingly, I learned that my PAL and I both share a hobby for dancing! This was such a refreshing experience, because in our busy day we never have time to just relax, take out a moment for ourselves, and talk to another person about our own interests and experiences. It was incredible to see how a project like this leads us to help each other and learn so many new things about ourselves. We may be of different ages, generations, and backgrounds, but its great to see how alike we really are when it comes to experiences and hobbies.

Shabnam Dakwala, graduate student in Pharmacy.

Unnecessary Worrying

Zaneera and GeorgieToday I met my PAL, Georgie, and her husband Gil. I was excited, but so nervous about meeting my PAL. What if we didn’t have anything to talk about? What if we didn’t click? What were they going to be like? All of these questions were running through my head as I first stepped into the community room at the JCC. After a quick look around, I found my name tag, on the table, next to my PAL. The moment I saw her welcoming smile, I knew I had been worrying for no reason. Georgie is absolutely amazing; we were able to talk about several things that we are both interested in. Who would have thought that my PAL would love young adult novels as much as I do, or that she grew up just blocks from where I live now?  I loved listening to her tell me about her family or what her and her husband do in their spare time, especially because I’m more of a listener and not much of a talker. And now I have several titles and authors to look up before I meet Georgie again in February!

In our conversation today, one thing that that stood out to me was when we were discussing the programs that different community centers such as the YMCA have; Georgie said “I don’t understand why they have all these programs for kids, but so little for adults”. It was such a simple statement about how she identified herself. She said “adult”, where as I probably would have said “older adult” or “senior” programs. And that’s exactly what she is: an adult, just as the rest of us are. From those six seconds I realized how much aging stereotypes and ageism affect us without even realizing it. I know it will take time for me to break down these barriers that society has placed in my mind against age, but in the meantime I will learn about the beauty of growing and all that life has to offer from such a genuine person as my PAL, Georgie.

Thinking back, it was unnecessary for me to have been worried about meeting my PAL.

 

Zaneera Hassan, third year graduate student in the VCU School of Pharmacy

Mirror Images

ISilk marbling have worked with older adults in a number of different capacities during the past twenty years, however today was one of the few times that I have had the opportunity to interact with them, when I was not responsible for 100% of their care, giving medications, taking them to medical appointments, ensuring that they are safe and well cared for…I think you get the picture. Today afforded me the chance to personally interact and spend time with older adults, on a more equal level, when you are not personally resposible for all aspects of an older adults life, it is much easier and more relaxing to enjoy the time you have with them, especially when their is a leisure activity thrown into the mix.

Very seldom in life is there little or no stress involved in any activity we participate in, however today was a totally stress free and enjoyable time, spent with new friends from a diverse array of backgrounds. The aging process is not homogeneous, and the PALETTE program provides a perfect opportunity for participants to experience that diversity across all levels of the lifespan from young college students to older adults.

 

Jill Lindsay, graduate student in the VCU Department of Gerontology